Ratchet mechanism



y 5, 1 942. I. A. WILLIAMS 2,281,866

I RATCHET MECHANISM Filed Nov. 6, 939 1 Illllli Patented May 5, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RATCHET MECHANISM Ivan A. Williams, Portland, Oreg.

Application November 6, 1939, Serial No. 303,090

2 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in ratchet mechanisms, in which a reciprocating motion of a driving member produces an intermittent rotary motion of a helically grooved member, and by a simple means obviates the ratchet wheels, dogs, et cetera heretofore employed for this purpose. The ratchet will be useful in drills, winders, and the like where this type of motion is desired.

One form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure #1 is the assembled ratchet mechanism. Figure #2 is a side view of the driver. Figure #3 is a top view of the driver. Figure #4 is an enlarged cross-section of the helical member and the tapered slot construction which, together with the angular setting of the slot on the helix, produces the ratchet action. In this figure, O is the crosssection of the helical member shown in the small end of the tapered slot. Figure #5 is a driver construction in which the working edges are in the form of rolls to minimize friction. The end of the driver is here shown open, which is an alternate design.

Referring specifically to Figure #1, when the driver A is moved in the direction of the arrow D, the helix is rotated. When, however, the driver is pushed in the opposite direction, it tends to push the operators hand in the direction of arrow B, which is the end of the driver which has the large opening and causes the driver to slide along the helix freely.

All that is necessary to operate this type of ratchet mechanism is a light resilient pressure in the direction of arrow C at all times and the reciprocating motion of the driver A. While this operation is shown in Figure #1 as being performed by the human hand, it is of course obvious that any mechanism sliding on the helix or parallel with the helix which would operate the driver in the aforesaid manner would produce ratchet rotation of the helix.

Figure #5 shows a construction in which friction on the edges E and F is decreased by the use of rollers, et cetera.

Figure #2 and Figure #3 show what is probably the simplest construction of the driver for hand operation.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A ratchet mechanism comprising a helical rotating member and a driver with a taper slot adapted to be angularly disposed to the axis of the helical member, said driver adapted to be so held that the small end of the slot co-acts with the helix when moved in one direction and disengages the helix when moved in the opposite direction.

2. A ratchet mechanism comprising a helix, a tapered slotted nut adapted to be disposed at an angle of approximately 30 to degrees to the axis of the helix, free to move at right angles to the-axis of the helix and adapted to be propelled parallel with the helix in oscillation.

IVAN A. WILLIAMS. 

